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And We have made the Quran easy to remember, but is there any
that will remember?
al-Qamar: 17
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This e-book is the edited version of the Hifdh Coursebook that has been taught both online and
offline as part of the How to Memorise the Quran course by Farhia Yahya. The course is taught
with supplemented materials, discussions, activities, and extra notes, but by releasing this ebook, its
hoped that most of the core material of the course can be made available to those who cannot join
the 5-week course.
E: info@fajr-literary.com
W: www.fajr-literary.com
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Contents
Chapter
Page
11
13
Methods of Memorisation
15
17
20
22
23
24
28
29
39
40
Appendix
45
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Legalistic definition of what Quran is: The Quran is the Word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) via a tawatur transmission, and its recitation is worship.
Just as Allah is that much above His creation, His Speech is also that much above any other speech.
Verily, those who recite the Book of Allah, perform prayers, and spend (in charity) out of what We
have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a (sure) trade-gain that will never perish.
That He may pay them their wages in full, and increase them, out of His Grace.
Verily! He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate.
[al-Fatir: 29-30]
Qatadah (radhiAllahu anhu) used to say whenever he read this verse: This is the verse of
the Qurra (recitors). (Tafsir Ibn al-Kathir) and that is because of what it confirms for them from
great recompense and multiplied reward, and they do not take pleasure in just abundant reward,
but rather Allah increases them in honour and virtue.
Al-Qurtubi said: This increase is intercession in the Hereafter. (Tafsir al-Qurtubi)
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Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and
rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that
they may reflect. [Al-Hashr: 21]
And if there had been a Quran with which mountains could be moved or the earth could be
cloven asunder or the dead could be made to speak (it would not have been other than this
Quran) [Ar-Rad: 31]
The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, There has not been a single Prophet except that
Allah gave him miracles because of which people believed in him. I have been given (as a miracle) the
Inspiration which Allah revealed to me (i.e. the Quran). [Al-Bukhari]
The Quran affected all people that it reached and it continues to do so up until our current time
today. Even the staunchest of the pagans in Makkah could not resist it. One fine example is the
incident of al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah:
And what can I say? For I swear by Allah, there is none amongst you who knows poetry as well as I
do nor can any compete with me in the composition or rhetoric not even in the poetry of the jinns!
And yet, I swear by Allah, Muhammads speech (i.e. the Quran) does not bear any similarity to
anything I know, and I swear by Allah, the speech that he says is very sweet and is adorned with
beauty and charm. Its first part is fruitful and its last part is abundant and it conquers and remains
unconquered. It shatters and destroys all that has come before it.
Response of al-Waleed and the subsequent descent of 16 ground-breaking verses:
Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created Alone (i.e. al-Waleed) Nay! Verily, he has been
stubborn and opposing Our Ayat. [Al-Muddathir: 11 and 16]
Verily, he thought and plotted, so let him be cursed! How he plotted!
And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted!
Then he thought. Then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way
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The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, If the Quran was to be gathered inside a vessel
(heart), Allah will never punishment it with the Hellfire. [Sahih al-Jami]
He also said, Read the Quran, for indeed it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor
for its companion. [Sahih Muslim]
Hadith: "The one who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told on the Day of Judgement: Recite and
ascend (in Ranks) as you used to recite when you were on earth. Your rank (station) will be at the last
verse you recite." [Abu Dawud & al-Tirmidhi]
The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, Indeed, Allah has people from amongst Mankind:
The people of Quran, they are the people of Allah and His specialties [Ahmad, al-Nasai Sahih]
Another hadith:
The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, The one with the most Quran leads the people. If
they are the same in recitation, then the one with the most knowledge of the Sunnah. If they are the
same in that, then the one to have made Hijrah first. If they are the same in that, then the one to
have become Muslim first. A man doesnt lead another man in his authority nor does he take his
place in his home with respect except with his permission. [Sahih Muslim]
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Hadith:
The best of you is the one who learns Quran and teaches it. [Sahih al-Bukhari]
An incident with Umar ibn al-Khattab:
It is narrated from Nafi ibn Abd al-Harith that he met Umar (radhiallahu `anhu) in Isfaan and
Umar made him a governor over Makkah. Nafi said, Who have you put over Ahl al-Wadi (as a
governor)? He replied, Ibn Abzi. He said, And who is Ibn Abzi? He said, A slave from amongst
our slaves. He said, And you put a slave over them as a governor?! Umar replied, Indeed he
recites the Book of Allah `azza wa jall and he is knowledgeable of the Faraidh (obligations), did your
Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) not say, Truly, Allah raises a people by this Book and debases
others by it.? [Sahih Muslim]
What lessons can you take from these statements?
Indeed those who came before you saw the Quran as personal letters from their Lord. So they
would ponder over it by night and yearn for it by day.
- Al-Hasan al-Basri
[Tibyan, al-Nawawi]
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Hadith:
The Prophet (s) said, Whoever sleeps from his Hizb (portion) or something of it, and then reads it
between Salat al-Fajr and Salat al-Dhuhr, then it is written for him as if he recited it during the night.
[Sahih Muslim]
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people
and clear proofs of guidance and criterion [al-Baqarah: 185]
Narration from Ibn Abbas: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) was the most
generous person, and he would be at his most generous in Ramadan because Jibril would come to
him every night and he would rehearse the Qur'an with him." [Sahih al-Bukhari]
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And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember, but is there any
that will remember? [al-Qamar: 17]
Al-Qurtubi said, This means We have made it easy for Hifdh and we will aid whoever wishes to
memorise it so is there anyone who seeks to memorise it that We may help him? [Tafsir alQurtubi]
Indeed, from the miracles of the Noble Quran is the ease of memorisation upon all tongues such
that the non-Arab and others besides them are able to memorise it. Hifdh al-Quran is the basis of
learning (and pursuing studies).
Note: The repetition of the verse above throughout the Surah (breaking mental barriers).
Allah, the Exalted and Most High described this Quran saying,
Nay, but they, the clear Ayat are preserved in the breasts of those who have been given
knowledge [al-'Ankabut: 49]
No Muslim can ever do without the Book of Allah. The scholar uses its verses to derive evidences,
the one who teaches people Aqidah (creed) requires every verse in the Book and the one who
teaches them the Sunan (ways) of Allah in past nations also has a need towards the Book of Allah.
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The scholars say there are 3 sciences that can never be studied without talaqqi (transmission from
teacher-to-student):
1. Quran (And indeed, you receive the Qur'an from one Wise and Knowing. [al-Naml: 6])
2. Fiqh
3. Inheritance
[Madinah]
[Makkah]
[Basra] *
[Damascus] *
[Kufa]
[Kufa]
[Kufa]
* These two Qurra are the only two who were Arabs by origin, the rest were non-Arabs or mawali.
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Methods of Memorisation
Many people ask, How do I memorise Quran? but there really is no one single answer. You must
find what suits you, your lifestyle, and your ability.
1.
On Day 2, follow the above for your new portion. And repeat yesterdays portion either x500 if
unstable, or 150 if stable.
On Day 3, follow the above for your new portion. And repeat yesterdays portion x150, and the
initial portion x50 (or less if very stable).
2.
3.
4.
Gradual method: One verse at a time, or 1 page at a time, or page at a time etc.
When that verse is solid and memorised, proceed to the next verse and follow the same steps
above. When that has been committed to memory, recite the two verses linking them. Do this for all
verses you intend to memorise until youve completed your portion for the day.
Its important to have set portions for every day. Why?
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Memorisation Techniques
Mnemonic Tactic
A Typical Example
A Quranic Example
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Without realising, we sometimes come across barriers in our lives. Sometimes these are barriers that
society has placed in our minds, but sometimes, these barriers are ones that we ourselves have
placed in our lives. If you have a goal, it is essential to break all barriers that stand in your way.
Time
One major barrier that everyone complains about is: Time. We dont seem to have enough of it.
Question: How many hours are there in a day and night?
Answer:
Question: Think of the most successful, high-achieving, greatest legend youve come across and ask
yourself: How many hours did they have in a day?
Point being: Time doesnt increase or decrease for a person. Its all about how we utilise it. Develop
time management skills.
Lets consider the statement of Imam al-Shabi:
It was once said to al-Shabi: How did you gain all this knowledge? He replied:
"By independency, by travelling through cities, by having patience like that of a donkey and by
rising early like the rising of crows." - Uluww al-Himmah
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Regarding Imam Sulaym ibn Ayyub al-Razi, it was narrated that he used to account himself even
for the no. of breaths he took. He never let a moment pass by him without gaining some benefit
- he would write, teach or read. One of his students said that one day he (the shaykh) went
down to his house and then returned saying: "I managed to read a Juz on my way.
Its Impossible
Another barrier is thinking that a task is impossible to achieve. Nothing is impossible. Remember
that. The word itself tells you otherwise!
Quote: If you think you can, you can. If you think you cant, youre probably right.
And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember, but is there any
that will remember?
[al-Qamar: 17]
Ibn Ataillah: Nothing is difficult if you seek it through your Lord, and nothing is easy if you seek it
through yourself.
Ibn Abdil-Barr said, The Quran is the foundation of knowledge, so whoever memorised it before
his coming of age (i.e. puberty), then went along to study whatever would aid his understanding of it
from language, then that would be a great help for him in attaining his overall objective from it (i.e.
knowledge). - Jami Bayan al-ilm wa fadhlihi
Value Yourself
Another barrier: Some people tend to have a low opinion of themselves. This doesnt befit the
Muslim. Always have a high opinion of yourself and have good expectation of Allah `azza wa jall and
He will in turn fulfill your expectation.
Think about all the different ways that a person can value themselves, e.g. by valuing their time.
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Mental Barriers
Thinking that you dont possess the mental capacity for hifdh is in reality a mental barrier. Break it.
Human beings have been blessed with a vast, complex and incredibly amazing brain system; it is
designed to grow with usage. The more you utilize aspects of your brain, memory etc, the more its
capacity will grow.
Notes: .
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Relationship of the Hafidh with Allah `azza wa jall:The Journey of the Hafidh:- To look at the life of the aspiring hafidh, his/her days and nights,
his/her hopes, possible obstacles and pitfalls, incidents and events, signs in their life, relationship
with others, akhlaq and etiquettes etc.
1. The daily life of the Hafidh
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Map/guide
Nourishment/food/water
Support
What else can you come up with?
Gradualism vs. Haste:- The most effective route to take when memorising Quran is steadiness
without rushing or delaying.
Its important not to rush or be hasty.
Statement of Imam al-Zuhri:
Whoever
attains knowledge all at once, knowledge will leave him all at once. Indeed, knowledge is only sought
throughout the bitter (or passing of) days and nights.
Its important that you have confidence and patience. Confidence that you will reach your goal, and
patience to traverse this path until you reach your goal.
Goal Setting
Notes: .
.
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.
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Procrastination
Lack of a teacher
Lack of good companionship
Lack of motivation
Inability to memorise well
and so on.
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Stress
Work overload
Long periods of not listening to or reciting Qur'an
Emotions running high or low/emotional instability (such as anger, over-excitement,
depression, mood-swings, giddiness etc).
Thinking too much, eating too much and sleeping too much
Not finding a companion to work with or a teacher to assist you
Too much empty time
Boredom
Receiving too much criticism from others
For sisters, you may notice hubut near the times of your menstrual cycle and hence you face
mental blocks either before, during or after your cycle.
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So what do we do?
Good question! But a better question is: 'What would you do if you were on your way somewhere
important and something blocked your road?'
Tips:
1. First thing first: When you've hit your moment of 'hubut', it's important that you do not
end up doing the dreaded, which is: stopping your Hifdh altogether.
Notes
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2. If your moment of hubut is due to something physical (e.g. you're tired, hungry, or
stressed) then you need to address this first and overcome it.
Notes
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3. Stay away from anything which will lower your spirits or demotivate you.
Notes
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Stay active.
Notes
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And the list goes on
For complete notes: http://fajr-literary.com/2013/06/11/overcoming-hubut-a-discouragingobstacle-in-hifdh-al-quran/
A point to consider: If you look back at the pre-mentioned causes of hubut, you'll notice a common
factor they are mainly causes which preoccupy and affect one's heart. Hence, to avoid hubut, avoid
anything which affects the healthy state of your heart, e.g. having too much attachment to this world.
Realise that through the course of memorising Qur'an you will be undergoing a form of training whereby
you attain characteristics of a believer insha'Allah e.g. firm and correct belief, patience, zuhd, gratitude,
contemplation, determination, courage, humbleness, you gain good judgement, sound mind, kindness &
softness in character (riqqa), and so on bi'ithnillah.
So it's a training period to see you through life and naturally any form of training will consist of testing
moments or obstacles and hence hubut (as much as it's annoying and frustrating) it actually serves a
purpose in the long run so don't be disheartened and definitely do not give up your goal!
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As you progress in your hifdh, the amount you need to review will increase along with the amount
youre able to memorise.
Its important that you develop a good strategy to help you review the Quran and the portions
youve already memorised. This becomes easier with time, steadiness, and consistency.
Some ways you can review:
A formula for finding out how many Ruba to complete over a set number of days*:
The secret to a having good review program is to do as many rounds of recitation (off
by heart) as possible. This means trying to complete your memorised portion over and
over again in short periods of time.
My hifdh became like Surah al-Fatiha when I completed my 80th khatmah.
* Credit to sister Rabia Khan for inventing and sharing this formula.
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There are many steps that an aspiring Hafidh can take in order to memorise the Quran, but here are
a select and comprehensive few:
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If you know your Creator and love Him, you will also have
a strong love and connection to His Words.
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So the first step is cleaning out your heart and inner reality
and focusing on the aim of Hifdh al-Quran.
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2 Sincerity in Intention
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3 Dua (Supplication)
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4 - Seek Forgiveness
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6 - Adorn your heart and clean your soul via your learning
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From the things that will aid you in the
memorisation of Quran is that you dedicate a
specific time towards hifdh and you inform your
brothers/sisters that you will be busy during this
time so that no-one can preoccupy you from your
hifdh.
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9 Do not become over preoccupied with memorisation such that it leads you
away from recitation
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10 Salat al-Hajah
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From the things which assist you in hifdh is that
you read the tafsir (exegesis) of the verses that
you want to memorise because understanding
their meanings will cement it in the mind.
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You must have gradual progression in hifdh alQuran, and not to hasten in memorisation until
you are able to do so so do not burden your soul
with more than it can take. Rather you must
choose a portion which you are able to memorise
every day and do not go over that limit (until you
are ready).
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.............
This is an extremely important matter so that you
can memorise Quran without mistakes. Were you
to memorise the Quran on your own then
perhaps you might err in the recitation of some
verses and were you to memorise it like that (with
those mistakes), then its difficult to correct them.
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If you fall short from your memorisation or daily
recitation of Quran, then penalise yourself
with something from the mubahat
(permissible) for example by fasting, night
prayer and charity.
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A Muslim can never attain knowledge of any
science from the sciences of the Shariah without
the Quran, for the Quran opens up for you the
doors to all knowledge indeed it opens up for you
the doors to all goodness in this world and the Next.
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Al-Munawi said, Truly, knowledge is not attained except through humbleness and through listening.
Humbleness of a student to his teacher is an honour, humility to him is a mark of respect and
lowering of a student to his teacher brings pride and glory. Abdullah ibn Abbas (radhiallahu
`anhuma) with his honourable link to the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) took hold of Zayd
ibn Thabits riding animal and said, Thus we were commanded to treat our scholars. So Zayd
kissed the hand of Ibn Abbas and said, Thus we were commanded to treat the household of our
Prophet.
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The Quran is a book that has been revealed so that we can interact with it. Its not just for reading,
or even occasional recourse. Its dynamic, life-changing, and calls for constant interaction. As such,
its abandonment has far-reaching consequences. The Prophet (s) said: The likeness of the one who
memorises the Quran is like that of the owner of a hobbled camel. If he tends to it regularly, he
will keep it, but if he lets it go, he will lose it. [al-Bukhari]
Scholars have said that Hajr of Quran is of 4 types:
1. Abandoning its recital
2. Abandoning its contemplation
3. Abandoning the Call to it and advising others by it
4. Abandoning it as a source of judgement
Many times, we find ourselves abandoning the Quran in more than one way.
***
He is not called Insan (Man) except due to his forgetfulness
And it is not a Qalb (heart) except due to its turning.
The sin is not in the natural forgetting for which you strive against. But it is in the negligence.
Thoughts: ..
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Case Studies
These are some real life stories which we discuss in the course and derive benefit from:
1.
Muhammad; A young man in his early 20s. Studying at university, after attending a
workshop on memorising Quran and utilising all the available mediums, he went on to
memorise the entire Quran within just 50 days (i.e within 2 months).
Story: See Appendix.
..
..
..
..
..
..
2.
Middle-aged man. A surgeon by profession works full-time whilst maintaining hifdh.
3.
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3.
82-year old grandmother, inspired by her youngest daughter. After having 7 children,
her husband passed away so she struggled to raise them. When all children grew up, she
dedicated herself to memorising the Quran. Completed it in less than 10 years. Now she
memorises hadith.
Story: See Appendix.
..
..
..
..
..
4.
The blind teacher.
This is the story of my teacher who I completed my hifdh with.
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Words of Wisdom
Bishr ibn al-Harith: I heard Isa ibn Yunus (rahimahullah) say, If a slave finishes the Quran
(khatm), an Angel kisses him in-between his eyes. [Hilyat al-Awliya]
~
Imam al-Aajuri: Such a person should make the Quran a fountain for his heart, rectifying by it
whatever has become corrupt in his heart. He should take on the qualities of the Quran and adorn
himself with a beautiful character whereby he becomes distinguished from the rest of the people who
do not recite or memorise the Quran. If he speaks, he speaks with knowledge and were he to be
silent, he is silent with knowledge He does not involve himself in matters that do not concern him
for he fears his tongue more than he fears his enemies. He imprisons his tongue just as he would
imprison his enemy so that he may be safe from its evil and the evil of its consequences. His face is
pleasant and his words are sweet. [Akhlaq hamalat al-Quran]
~
Al-Hasan al-Basri: Indeed those who came before you saw the Quran as personal letters from
their Lord. So they would ponder over it by night and yearn for it by day. [Tibyan, al-Nawawi]
~
Abdullah ibn Umar (radhiallahu `anhuma): Adhere to the Quran! Study it and teach it to your
children for surely you shall be questioned about it and you shall be rewarded by it and it is
sufficient as warner for the wise one. [Mashkal al-Athar]
~
Ibn Masud (radhiallahu `anhu): Verily, hearts are like vessels (i.e. made to embrace things) so
occupy them with the Quran and do not engage them with other than it. [Musannaf Ibn Abi
Shaybah]
~
Al-Hasan al-Basri: Adhere to the Book of Allah `azza wa jall, follow what is in it of examples and
become a people of insight by it. Then he said, May Allah have mercy upon a slave who presents
himself to the Book and acts upon it; if his deeds are in accordance to the Book of Allah, he praises
Allah and if his deeds are in contrast to the Book of Allah, he rebukes himself and returns from a near
distance.
~
He (rahimahullah) also said, Those who have the most right to this Quran are those who follow it
even if they have not read it. [Al-Qaidah, Ibn Taymiyyah]
Imam al-Aajuri: (O people), Do you not see how your Lord the Most Generous has encouraged His
creation to reflect upon His Words? Whoever reflects upon His Words recognizes His Lord `azza wa
jall and recognizes the greatness of His Power and Authority. He recognizes His immense Favour on
the believers and recognizes what has been mandatory upon him in His worship. So he adheres to the
obligatory deeds, warns himself from what His Lord has warned him of and he desires only what His
Lord has desired for him. And so whoever has these attributes at the time when he is reciting the
Quran or listening to it being recited by others, then for him the Quran is a cure. He is enriched
but not by wealth, honoured but not by the people and he is at peace and serenity when others are
lonely. [Al-Tibyan]
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Tawus: Those with the most beautiful voices when reciting the Quran are those who fear Allah
the most. [Bid al-Qurra]
~
Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz wrote to his workers ordering that none be placed as governors except the
people of Quran. His workers wrote to him saying, We have placed the people of Quran in charge
but we found (some of) them to be unreliable! So he wrote back to them, Do not put anyone in charge
of the masses except the people of Quran. If there is no good in them, then its even more-so the
case that therell be no good in other than them. [Aadab al-Shariyyah]
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APPENDIX
1. Some key facts on the Quran:
Revelation
It was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of
Allah be upon Him) over a period of 23 years.
No. of Chapters
(Surah)
114
Revealed in
Makkah
86
Revealed in
Madinah
28
Total number of
verses
6239
Longest chapter
(Surah)
Shortest chapter
Longest Verse
Shortest Verse
Surah
Memorised?
Notes
18th July
Yes
19th July
Partially
Surah portion
to memorise
Surah or Juzz
to review
Completed?
Notes
18th July
Al-Baqarah, 1
hizb
Yes
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2. Story of Muhammad:
I declared a state of Jihad upon my soul and put death before my eyes. I made an intention to memorise the
Noble Quraan. So I abandoned telephone calls and unnecessary visits, and I changed all the negative
thoughts associated with hifdh (memorisation) to positive and practical ones e.g. When a thought came to me
saying I cant do it! Id say, I can do it. If it said, My memory is weak! Id say I take pleasure in having a
great memory.
I chose the masjid as the place of my hifdh as it preserves three:
1. The eyes
2. The ears
3. The tongue
I followed a specific dietary program consisting of eating dates, fruits and honey and fasting helped me a
great deal in that. I used to wake up before salaat al-Fajr by 2 and a half hours and I slept 2 hours after Isha. I
used to wake up for Tahajjud (the night prayer), prolonging my sujood wherein I would call upon Allaah taalaa
to ease for me my affair. I would also seek forgiveness 100 times.
I began to memorise 5 pages and would recite them in the Sunnah prayers of Fajr. After salaat al-Fajr, I would
begin the memorisation of 5 new pages and at the end, I would recite them in the 2 rakaahs of salaat alDuhaa, all the time thanking Allaah for easing the memorisation.
I would perfect the recitation of what I had memorised by listening to tapes of one of the recitors. I would read
about the qiraaah in books or via the Muqaddimah al-Jazariyyah (poem on the ahkam of tajweed).
After salaat al-Dhuhr, I would repeat everything that I had memorised previously beginning from the 1st Juz,
until salaat al-Asr. After the Asr prayer, I would repeat the new portion of hifdh and the juz before. After the
Maghrib prayer, I would prepare the recitation of 10 new pages and it was only after salaat al-Isha that Id
review the Quraan with my teacher, may Allaah reward him well.
Before retiring to bed, I would listen to all that I memorised in the day from cassettes and I would be sitting for
6 continuous hours, without any boredom or feeling tired. In the 1st week, I would sit for 6 hours, memorising
and revising. In the 2nd week, I would sit for 8 hours. In the 3rd week, it was 10 hours and in the 4th
week, it was 12 hours. In the last 10 days, I was sitting for 14 hours memorising and revising.
The hardest times for me were when it came to sleeping and eating. I ardently wished that the period of sleep
would end quickly so that I could start my hifdh of the Noble of Quraan. Everytime I began to read the
Quraan and memorise, I felt such delight and enjoyment that I had never felt before. Dua was an important
factor for me before and after hifdh. I would memorise a page whilst sitting down and then repeat it whilst
walking. My teacher played an important role in encouraging me, in revision, in correcting me and benefiting
me in terms of Tajweed.
In the last week, on the night of 20th Ramadan, only 4 and a half juz remained until completion of hifdh. So I
turned to Allaah to open up my way and ease it for me. I went on to memorise it in 6 days with the Help of
Allaah.
Laylatul-Qadr came, the night of delight and happiness it was like a wedding night to me. My completion of
hifdh took place between Maghrib and Isha in the masjid with the Imam and those in Itikaaf. We began the
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khatma. In the end, during the duaa, my heart opened up greatly and I began to weep like never before. It
was the most beautiful hour of my life. Allaah had honoured me with the memorisation of His Book.
During the duaa, I remembered a dream I had more than 10 years ago I was a Muadhin of a mosque and
after Fajr salaah, I sat remembering Allaah in the mosque. I felt sleepy so I took a nap in the middle of the
mosque, and behold! I found myself amidst a gathering. A powerful ray of light descended from the sky down
to the middle of the masjid. From that light came many angels and between them were 2 big Angels. One of
them turned towards me and took me to the light. I entered along with the 2 angels. I then found myself on
top of a large green tree I began to climb it in the companionship of the 2 angels. We found angels standing
by the door of the 1st heaven. They said to me Where are you going? They opened up a book and said, We
dont have your name with us, so climb onwards to the top. And likewise, all the time (through each heaven),
they said the same thing to me.
Upon arriving at the 7th heaven, we reached the end of the tree. I found angels standing at the door and they
said, Are you Muhammad? I said, Yes. They said, Enter, for the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam) wants you. I said to the 2 angels that were with me Come in with me. They said, We cant enter. But
we will wait for you. So I entered Jannah and behold, I saw therein what no eye has seen, no ear has heard
and had never entered in the heart of Man. Angels were surrounding me and there was a door, on top of it
was written
.
(There is no God but Allaah and Muhammad is His Messenger. Al-Firdaws Paradise).
The Angels opened the door and I entered. Before me was the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam) sitting at the top end and beside him were men, some that I recognised and some that I didnt. In front
of him were a very large group of men, women and children. They wore white clothes, and they were so many
that they had a beginning but no end. All of them were reciting Quraan. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) called me and I went up to him. He got up and made some space for me. I kissed him and he
sat me down besides him. I asked him Who are these people O Messenger of Allah? He said, These are the
people who have memorised the Book of Allaah `azza wa jall.
InshaaAllaah taala, the dream ended in truth. I never spoke to anyone about it until the night that I
completed the memorisation of the Quraan.
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them, and then after they grew up and got married, I had more time for myself. Therefore, the first thing I
directed myself to focus upon was the Qur'aan.
Q2: "Tell us about your journey with the Noble Qur'aan."
She said, "My younger daughter was going to high school and she was the closest of my children to me and the
most beloved, because she stayed with me after her older sisters got married and got busy with their lives, and
because she was a quiet girl, upright, loving, and good. In addition, she was interested in learning the Noble
Qur'aan, and her teachers encouraged her.
Furthermore, she was very enthusiastic and always told me of many women who were driven by this great
motivation to memorize the Qur'aan, and this is where I started."
Q3: "Tell me about your way of memorization."
She said, "We assigned ten verses (meaning her and her daughter who was going to high school). So each day
after Asr, we used to sit together. She reads and I repeat after her three times. Then she explains the meaning
to me, and after a while, she repeats that three times. On the next morning, she repeats them to me before
she goes to school.
She recorded also the recitations of Ash Shaykh al Husary, Rahimuhullaah, repeating each verse three times
and thus I continued to listen most of the time. Therefore, the next day we would go to the next ten verses if
my memorization was good. Otherwise, we would postpone taking additional verses until the day after.
Moreover, we assigned the day of Friday to review the memorizations of the entire week. And this was the
journey from the beginning."
Then she said, "Over four years and a half, I memorized twelve juz" according to the way I described to you.
Then this young daughter got married. When her husband knew of our task concerning the memorization, he
rented a house close to me, close to my house, so that he could allow the continuation of the memorization. In
addition, he, May Allah reward him used to encourage us and sometimes sit with us listening, explaining and
teaching.
Then after three years of her marriage, my daughter got busy with the children and the household and our
schedule was interrupted, but that did not make her give up. To the contrary, she sensed that my eagerness
for the memorization was still established so she looked for a special good teacher to continue the journey
under her supervision. So, I completed the memorization by the success of Allaah and my daughter is still
working to finish the memorization of the Glorious Qur'aan. She has a little left, In Shaa Allaah Ta'aala.
Q4: "This motivation of yours, did it have an effect on other women around you?"
She said, "It really had a good strong effect. My daughters and stepdaughters were all encouraged and worked
on learning and teaching the Qur'aan to their children and learning it themselves.
Q5: "After finishing the Noble Qur'aan, don't you think about working on memorizing hadith?"
She said, "Now I have memorized ninety hadith and In Shaa Allaah I will continue the journey. I depend, in my
memorization, upon the tapes and upon the Qur'aan radio station. At the end of each week, my daughter
comes and checks for me the memorization of three hadith, and I am trying now to memorize more.
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Q6: "Over this period of memorization of the Qur'aan, did your life change? Was it affected in one way or
another?"
She said, "Yes, I went through a major change and I tried always, all praise is due to Allaah, to obey Allaah
before I started the memorization. However, after I started the task of memorization, I began to feel a selfcomfort, a great self-comfort and all worries began to move away from me. I even reached the stage of freeing
myself from all these excessive worries concerning fearing for the children and their affairs, and my morale
was boosted.
I had a noble objective to work for and this is a great Ni'mah (Favor) from Allaah . upon me, since we know
that some women, when they get old and they do not have a husband, and their children got married, may be
destroyed by the empty time, thoughts, worries, and so forth. But, AlHamdulillaah, I didn't go through this and
I made myself busy with a great task and a great objective.
Q7: "Didn't you think at one point, to join one of the circles focusing on teaching the Noble Qur'aan?"
The answer was, "Yes, some of the women suggested this to me, but I am a woman who got used to staying at
home, and I don't like to go out everyday, and Al Hamdulillaah, my daughter sufficed me from all difficulty and
I was so happy while I was learning from her. My daughter had set an example in goodness and righteousness
which we rarely find in our days.
She started this task and journey with me while she was an adolescent and this is a critical age many people
complain of. She used to pressure herself so that she could have spare time to teach me, and she used to
teach me with kindness and wisdom. Her husband was a good help to her and he exerted a lot of effort. I ask
Allaah . to give them success and to bring their children up on uprightness."
Q8: "What do you say to a woman of your age who wishes to learn and memorize the Qur'aan yet she is
worried about it and feeling unable to?"
She said, "I say to her there their shall be no despair with the firm, sincere and truthful determination. Begin
with sincerity, firm determination and dependence on Allaah at each time. And remember that at this age you
should have the time for yourself. However, do not use your time to only go out or to sleep and so forth.
Rather, busy yourself with righteous work.
Q9: "Now what would you say to a woman who is still young? What would you advise her?" She, may Allaah
preserve her, said: "Preserve Allaah and He will preserve you. Make use of the favor of Allaah bestowed upon
you from health and ways and means of comfort. Use that to memorize the Book of Allaah. This is the light
which enlivens your heart, your life and your grave after you die.
And if you have a mother then exert the effort to teach her, and there is no better favor upon a mother than
one of her righteous children aiding her to be close to Allaah."
Presented on the 1st of Muharram 1426, Feb 10th 2005. Originally published in Ad-Da'wah Magazine, no.1552,
17th of Rabee' Al-Awwal 1417, corresponding to Aug 1, 1996.